Spring Bluebonnets

Spring is my favorite season... I love the green grass, flowers, and sense of renewal that it all brings.  When we lived in D.C. the appeal of spring was even greater because of the amazing cherry blossoms that were right outside our front door and all around the city.  

When we moved to Texas I realized, that spring would be very, very different.  Spring in Texas brings with it, the most severe weather,  these little wormy things that fall from our trees for a couple of weeks, other bugs (scorpions, spiders, june bugs ) you name it, and the beginning of

 fire ant season.  So... it took me a little longer to find the beauty in it all.    

Now I understand why Bluebonnets are the pride and joy of Texas, and why it is illegal to pick them.  They are absolutely beautiful!!!   This bluebonnet field is in front of the boys school.  I just had to take a few pictures of the kiddos (at least the two I had with me)  Once again, Spring has come, and I have learned to love it once more.   Happy Spring!

Zooma Austin Half Marathon

My friend Heather and I got a crazy idea that we should run our first half marathon together.  Both being mother's of 4 children, with busy husbands...the doubts started filling my head.  But regardless, we signed up, so we were committed.  After the first few long runs I still had my doubts.  But hung in there-- squeezing in runs anytime I could to keep on top the schedule.  Until the day came.

  After a sleepless night, wondering if this whole ordeal was worth the trouble...  I woke up at 3:30 a.m., ate a bowl of cereal and geared up to go.  Ran out the door by 4:00 to pick up Heather and make the 5:30 shuttle in Austin.    The whole time I was rethinking my motives, and thinking about my husband and kids nice and cozy in a warm bed.   Seriously, why would anyone want to get up at this dark cold and early hour to run up and down 13 miles of hilly terrain?    Shane left me a note along with a cooler stocked with drinks and snacks in the car...and it lifted my spirits.  What a sweetheart.  Great husband tip #102:

Don't you love how he had to sign his whole name... SDLewis? (I'm surprised he didn't put an M.D. at the end)  

After making it to the shuttle they drove us into the resort on a road that felt like a roller coaster.  All of the runners looking at each other like, I REALLY hope this isn't the road we are going to be running on.   It wasn't... but the one we did run on, was almost as bad.  Heather and I  hung around in the resort hallway trying to keep warm as long as possible and gag down a GU gel before getting out to the start line.  

We finished in 2:01 and were cursing ourselves for the 2 minute potty break we had to take ... so 9 minute mile average from start to finish.   I was so glad to have Heather to keep my spirits up the whole way.  It was a joyful finish, the feeling of accomplishment was infectious.  I won't bore you with cheesy running metaphors about life's ups and downs...etc.  but...  I have loved running for a long time but convinced myself that I absolutely could not run more than a 10K.   I gave myself so many legitimate excuses not to do it (have 4 kids, busy husband,  yada, yada,)... I have since discovered that it is within my power to do hard things, and enjoy it.   We all can.  Bring on 26.2!

Spring Break

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Isaac's Super Mario Brothers Birthday

Although it happened nearly a month ago... I am just now posting some pictures from Isaac's Super Mario Brothers Birthday party.  I can't believe my little guy is five--especially when I think about the fact that he was 2 years old when we moved here!  We had a great time playing "pin the moustache on Mario",  doing a Super Mario Brothers obstacle course and of course whacking a pinata.  Here are a few pictures from the fun day.

Why I love 4 Year- Olds

I LOVE 4 year olds.  They are so spontaneous, fearless, uninhibited and too small to truly understand that the grown-up phrases spilling out of their mouths are hilarious.  They are brutally honest, unassuming and imaginative.  They are just all- around FUN! 

 I have been telling Isaac for the last few weeks, as his 5th birthday is just around the corner, that I absolutely love 4 year olds and I don't want him to have any more birthdays.  Last week he woke up in the middle of the night crying because he didn't want to have a birthday... one, because I said I like 4 year olds the best, and two, because then he will be closer to dying.   What?  Dying?  I felt so bad that my little guy was thinking these things because of some comment I had made.  

I assured him that I absolutely love 5 year olds too and that 5 year olds still have a lot of life ahead of them. ;-)  Thankfully, he has changed his mind and does want to have a birthday after all.  If only to get presents.

The following clip demonstrates why I love 4 year olds so much.  This is from Isaac's preschool program last year.  Isaac is on the far right bottom row (just in case you cant tell) but check out the boys on the back row too... Hilarious.    You have to watch until the end to get the full laugh value. (P.S.  The loud monotone singer---Isaac.)

Someday is Now

I wrote this little poem for my Young Women's class after I couldn't find the one that I was looking for. Our lesson was about finding joy in our lives now. I was inspired by President Monson's talk in General Confrence about finding joy in the journey, and am thankful I have come to the following realization.

NOW

Back then, I was studying hard in high school
Making friends and desperate to be cool

“Someday I’ll be happy” said my youthful heart
When I’ll make my own choices,
When I make my own start.
When I won’t have to fight against all these temptations
and have to live up to such high expectations.

Then the day came- I walked out the front door.
In a lonely college dorm room I longed for more.

“Someday I’ll be happy” my mind spoke me.
When I’ll get a good job and can buy a T.V.
When ramen noodles are a thing of the past.
When my prince charming will sweep me up fast.

Well, prince charming came, so did the degree.
But working 8 to 5 seemed boring to me.

“Someday I’ll be happy” the logic seemed clear
When I can have babies and hold them near
When I don’t have to work to put food on the table
When my husband’s job is a little more stable.

Well, the babies came, and came some more.
And I ran around looking after every little chore.

“Someday I’ll be happy, how familiar this sounds”
When I can go to the gym and lose a few pounds
When I’ll have less laundry and far fewer dishes
When my kids will be older and obey my wishes

As the kids got older and moved away
I felt their loss every day

“One day I was happy” I reminisced
When the house was so noisy,many little ones to kiss.
When I had diapers to change and challenges to meet
When I heard the patter of little feet

“Oh I wish I could have a little more time”
To tuck them in bed, and read nursery rhymes
To push them on swings
And cheer on their teams
To hear their giggles, squeals and screams.


Those days passed unnoticed,
I’m not sure how.
I wish I had known

That someday is NOW!